As we dive into 2025, the web development landscape is poised for significant transformations driven by emerging technologies.
Some key trends to watch in 2025 include:
AI-powered solutions
No-code and low-code technologies
WebAssembly
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Machine Learning in the Browser
Test automation and DevOps
Voice User Interfaces (VUIs)
Blockchain-Based Applications
3D design
Augmented Reality (AR) integration
AI-powered solutions
AI is the most exciting, ground-breaking, tech innovation everybody is still talking about. It's already shifted the production possibility frontier forward in a gargantuan quantum leap.
In 2025, that leap will generate big results.
Instantaneous global communication, readily available global information, and cheap and free artificial intelligence will impact web development significantly.
This is already evident in any given web developer's day-to-day activities. We're now more focused on writing prompts for Github's Copilot, Anthropic's Claude, Facebook's LLaMA, or a host of other AI programs that code.
Mark Zuckerberg's recent comments on AI engineering and AI replacing human software engineers as soon as now, speaks to the speed at which AI is changing software engineering, and consequently web development.
Link to msn article about Mark Zuckerberg's statement that AI will replace engineers“Probably in 2025, we at Meta, as well as the other companies that are basically working on this, are going to have an AI that can effectively be a sort of mid-level engineer that you have at your company that can write code,” Zuckerberg said in the interview.
“In the beginning, it’ll be really expensive to run, and you can get it to be more efficient,” he added. “And over time it’ll get to the point where a lot of the code in our apps and including the AI that we generate is actually going to be built by AI engineers instead of people engineers.”
Beatrice Nolan @ MSN quoting Mark Zuckerburg
No-code and low-code technologies
No-code and low-code technologies aim to bring web development to non-techies, emphasizing the importance of creativity and function over programming skills in web development.
These platforms simplify coding, enabling more creativity and faster prototyping, and empower creators to turn their ideas into reality without paying time or money for coding expertise.
Several influencers are spearheading the no-code front, including Apple's Steve Wozniak.
It's always good to follow what the influencers are saying. Keep your eyes open for Steve's keynote speech at Creatio's no-code conference. There's one in Florida, in May of 2025.
WebAssembly
Hey AI, what is web assembly?
“WebAssembly (Wasm) is a way to run code on the web that’s faster and more secure than traditional methods. It allows developers to use programming languages other than JavaScript to build web applications.
Imagine you’re building a house. JavaScript is like the instructions written in a language that engineers (web browsers) understand. However, these instructions can be slow to execute and may not be suitable for complex tasks.
WebAssembly is like a pre-built, pre-approved set of instructions that engineers can use to build houses faster and more efficiently. These instructions are written in a specialized format the web browser can understand and execute quickly.
Web Assembly offers:
1) Faster execution: WebAssembly code runs faster than traditional JavaScript code.
2) Improved security: WebAssembly code is sandboxed, which means it can’t access sensitive data or harm the system.
3) More programming options: WebAssembly allows developers to use languages like C, C++, and Rust to build web applications, giving them more flexibility and choice.
In summary, WebAssembly is a technology that enables faster, more secure, and more efficient web development by allowing developers to use a wider range of programming languages and compile them to a format that web browsers can execute quickly.” ~ Leo AI
Because of Node, JavaScript is currently the go-to technology for writing server-side code in the same language as client-side code. Web Assembly makes it possible to write full-stack code in languages other than JavaScript.
While Web Assembly has been around for awhile, it hasn't quite hit the mainstream yet. But that is likely to change soon, and possibly in 2025.
Check out this article on web assembly.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
With progressive web applications you can use the browser to create desktop software by adding custom styling that makes the browser look like a desktop application. Next you write asynchronous code for service and web workers that takes advantage of the browser's PWA APIs.
Examples of desktop software built as PWAs include:
Figma
Slack
Facebook
Forbes
Uber
Pinterest
Flipboard
It's likely we'll see more PWAs in 2025, and more PWA specific features in browsers.
Check out this article to read up on PWAs.
Machine Learning in the Browser
Machine learning in the browser is an emerging field that allows for the execution of machine learning models directly within a web browser, without the need for server-side processing. This approach offers several advantages, including better privacy as data can remain on the client, and the ability to run on a wide range of devices, including mobile phones and tablets.
One of the key technologies enabling machine learning in the browser is TensorFlow.js, a JavaScript library developed by Google. TensorFlow.js allows developers to train and run machine learning models directly in the browser, leveraging the power of WebGL for accelerated computation. This makes it possible to perform complex tasks such as image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics without the need for backend servers.
Another important aspect of machine learning in the browser is the use of Web Workers, which allow for the execution of scripts in background threads, improving the performance and responsiveness of web applications. This is particularly useful for tasks that require significant computational resources, such as training machine learning models.
Read about machine learning in the browser here.
Test automation and DevOps
Test automation and DevOps approaches will continue to be critical for improving the productivity and quality of web app development, with more development teams using automation tools for continuous testing, continuous integration, and continuous delivery.
Companies currently investing in AI application, will apply AI to dev-ops pipelines, speeding up deployment and optimizing human input to critical tasteful decision making (where AI has to be checked anyway).
Voice User Interfaces (VUIs)
As voice-activated devices grow more common, VUIs will change how people interact with websites, allowing users to access content without using their hands.
The trend should pickup up in 2025
Blockchain-Based Applications
Blockchain-based web applications leverage the decentralized and secure nature of blockchain technology to enhance various functionalities. These applications can range from simple to-do list management to complex systems like decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and supply chain management solutions.
One example is a to-do list web application powered by blockchain, as described in a GeeksforGeeks article. This application uses Web3.js for communication with the blockchain, Bootstrap for the front end, and Solidity for smart contract development. The smart contract allows users to store their to-do list tasks in a decentralized manner, ensuring data integrity and security.
Another example is a web application using Waves Protocol, detailed in a Medium article. This application tracks COVID-19 data for entities such as universities, hospitals, and cities. It integrates Waves Signer to allow any Waves account to sign transactions, ensuring that data modifications are secure and traceable. The application also demonstrates how blockchain can serve as a middleware and data storage solution, with a web interface and API accessible via a public node.
While websites that use the blockchain are not something the average web developer might plan to do in 2025, the technology is likely to improve and blockchain web applications are definitely going to become more common in 2025.
Augmented Reality (AR) integration
Augmented Reality (AR) in web development enhances user engagement and provides immersive experiences by overlaying digital content onto the real world. This technology has gained significant traction across various industries, including entertainment, healthcare, automotive, and e-commerce, due to its ability to offer interactive and visually appealing solutions.
Use Cases
Retail and E-commerce:
AR can revolutionize the online shopping experience by allowing customers to virtually try on items such as clothes, shoes, and accessories, reducing return rates and increasing customer satisfaction.
Navigation and Mapping:
AR-enhanced navigation and mapping features provide real-time, context-aware directions and information about nearby points of interest.
Education and Training:
AR can be used to provide interactive and immersive learning experiences, helping students and workers understand complex concepts more effectively.
Link to article about Augmented Reality3D design
3D design has progressed beyond simple aesthetics to become an essential component of interactive web experiences, providing users with immersive and engaging experiences.
3D design is not yet mainstream in web development, but there will continue to be innovation in 3d design both on the framework side, and in the browsers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the convergence of these trends - AI-powered solutions, No-code and low-code technologies, WebAssembly, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), Machine Learning in the Browser, Test automation and DevOps, Voice User Interfaces (VUIs), Blockchain-Based Applications, 3D design, and Augmented Reality integration - is expected to shape the future of web development in 2025.
As businesses and developers adopt these advancements, we can anticipate the creation of faster, smarter, and more secure websites that deliver personalized and immersive user experiences.
By leveraging these technologies, companies can enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.
Article written by Build Hello.
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